PM for enhanced Pak Uzbek economic, commercial cooperation

ISLAMABAD, Dec 23 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on
Friday emphasized that Pakistan and Uzbekistan need to make efforts to enhance cooperation in the economic and commercial fields and fully exploit the huge potential for mutual trade.
He said that Uzbekistan’s impressive annual economic growth and rich
energy resources, and Pakistan’s large industrial and agricultural base provide an ideal environment for expansion of trade and commercial cooperation between the two countries.
The Prime Minister expressed these views during his meeting with
Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Ulugbek Rozikulov, who called on him here at the PM House, according to a press release issued by the PM’s Media Wing here.
Welcoming the visiting delegation to Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif expressed the confidence that the visit will contribute towards enhancing the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
He conveyed his heartiest felicitations to Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev on
his election as the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan cherishes its close, friendly
and fraternal relations with Uzbekistan as both the countries are bound by strong commonalities of history, faith and culture.
“We wish to take our bilateral relations to new heights based on
mutually beneficial cooperation. Pakistan is keen to further expand ties in all fields, particularly economic and energy cooperation, connectivity and human resource development,” he added.
The Prime Minister proposed that both countries work together for
making appropriate reforms in trade policies to facilitate trade, investment and free flow of goods and services between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.
“Both countries need to formulate a joint integrated strategy to
exploit the potential of trade in the region, especially in view of China Pakistan Economic Corridor. We need to establish Pakistan Uzbekistan Joint Business Council and revive the Joint Commission. Pakistan also awaits to see Uzbekistan joining CPEC, and taking benefits from Gawadar port,” he underlined.
The Prime Minister welcomed the concrete proposals from Uzbekistan for collaboration in the field of agricultural machinery, which are presently under consideration at the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of National Food Security.
“On behalf of the people, Government and on my own behalf, I express
our sincere condolence on the sad demise of late President Islam Karimov. The visionary leadership of President Islam Karimov had been a source of continuity, stability and strength for Uzbekistan,” he concluded.
Mr Ulugbek Rozikulov thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcome
extended to the visiting delegation in Pakistan.
He said that all necessary steps would be taken to explore and exploit
the huge business and trade opportunities between the two countries.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan extended an invitation to the
Prime Minister on behalf of Uzbek President to visit Uzbekistan. The Prime Minister accepted the invitation.